Makuria

Makuria was a state in Nubia and Sudan (North and West Africa) that lasted from c. 450 to 1312 CE, about 862 years. Its people spoke Nilo-Saharan languages (Kanuri, Songhai, Nubian, Luo, Maasai).

Christian Nubian kingdom that defeated Arab invaders in 652 and agreed the Baqt treaty, which kept peace with Egypt for six centuries. Mamluk interference and Arab migration broke it in the 14th century.

See Makuria on the interactive timeline

Facts

Dates

c. 450 to 1312 CE

Duration

862 years

Type

State

Region

Nubia and Sudan, North and West Africa

Language family

Nilo-Saharan

Capital

Old Dongola

Came from

• Noba and the Ballana culture c. 350 to 550 CE
• Nobatia c. 400 to 700 CE

Events in North and West Africa during its time

• 641 Arab conquest of Egypt
• 652 The Baqt treaty
• 670 Founding of Kairouan
• 969 Fatimids found Cairo
• 1050 Banu Hilal migration
• 1235 Battle of Kirina

Neighbours in North and West Africa

• Ghana Empire (Wagadu) c. 300 to 1200 CE
• Kingdom of Aksum c. 100 to 940 CE
• Ethiopian Empire (Solomonic dynasty) 1270 to 1974 CE
• Mali Empire c. 1235 to 1670 CE
• Mamluk Sultanate 1250 to 1517 CE
• Fatimid Caliphate 909 to 1171 CE
• Almoravid dynasty 1040 to 1147 CE
• Kingdom of Benin c. 1180 to 1897 CE
• Kanem Empire c. 700 to 1387 CE
• Ife c. 1000 to 1420 CE

Elsewhere in the world at the same time

• Republic of Venice c. 697 to 1797 CE, Europe
• Byzantine Empire 395 to 1453 CE, Europe
• Byzantine Empire 395 to 1453 CE, Middle East
• Swahili city-states c. 800 to 1700 CE, Central and Southern Africa
• Holy Roman Empire 962 to 1806 CE, Europe
• Srivijaya c. 650 to 1377 CE, Southeast Asia
• Moche (Mochica) c. 100 to 800 CE, South America
• Teotihuacan c. 100 BCE to 550 CE, Mesoamerica and Caribbean
• Khmer Empire 802 to 1431 CE, Southeast Asia
• Ottoman Empire 1299 to 1922 CE, Europe

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